Folding and Wearing Japanese Kimonos, Obis and Geta - Wafuku Kimono Information 5 NOTE A plain kimono or one with an all-over pattern can easily be hemmed, although the Japanese never hem them. Just fold it up the required amount and loosely stitch it; you don't need to fold in the top edge, cut it or do anything complicated. How to put on a yukata kimono and hanhaba (half breadth) obi. It is a Youtube video, in two parts below. If you only want the hanhaba obi instructions, they are in Part 2. It stops rather abruptly but the last bit would just show that she just pulls the entire obi round so the bow sits at the centre back, then makes sure the kimono is still lying smoothly Part 1 Putting on a yukata & hanhaba obi - Part 2 How to fold your kimono How the Japanese wear geta Tying obi: (see Kimono Info page 10, where I have an obi tying video on the page and useful obi tying links too) If the links below don't open, you may have pop-ups blocked on your PC.

Try holding the Ctrl key down as you click the links Click here to see a video clip of how to tie a hanhaba or yukata obi in a butterfly bow knot(chou-chou musubi) Click here for a video of instructions (opens in a new window, leaving this page open too). There is lots of info on wearing and tying a variety of men's Japanese garments on that site, it's well worth a browse through. Although in Japanese, the pictures give clear instructions. There are also picture instructions here ; they are spread over several pages there.

There are also more instructions on Kimono Info page 10 HOW TO TIE A WOMAN'S NAGOYA OBI IN A TAIKO KNOT Click here for instructions (opens in a new window, leaving this page open too) Here is a VIDEO OF HOW TO PRODUCE WOMAN'S NAGOYA OBI IN A TAIKO KNOT, without actually tying the knot, also showing obiage, obijime and koshi-himo holding it in place Click here for instructions (opens in a new window, leaving this page open too) How to tie a man's kaku obi and a woman's yukata/hanhaba obi in a clam knot. Click here for instructions (opens in a new window, leaving this page open too). There is lots of info on wearing and tying a variety of men's Japanese garments on that site, it's well worth a browse through. Although in Japanese, the pictures give clear instructions In the rear view picture below, you can see that the obijime (the narrow, braided, silk cord) goes through the rear knot and, once tied at the front, the ends are pulled towards the back again and tucked in at the side.

You can also see a white obiage (the soft silk sash at the top of the obi) coming out of the top of the big, rear taiko knot and going round to the front, where it is tied at the centre and tucked partially under the top of the sash. The obiage goes through the rear knot, covering the makura (obi bustle pad, to give the rear knot a fuller shape at the top) In the front view picture below, you see the pink obiage at the top of the obi sash, partially tucked in, and the obijime cord around the centre, tied in a knot at the front, with the ends pulled towards the back. These items keep the obi's rear knot firmly in place. The younger one is, the more of the obiage is allowed to show at the top of the obi The aim is to create an overall tube-like shape, with no womanly curves More examples... The traditional way to wear a kimono is with it pulled low at the back of the neck. The younger one is, the lower it may be worn. The neck is thought to be the most sensuous part of the body, so is displayed with hair up and rear neckline low.

The collar/neckband is folded in half, inwards, and the neckband of the juban kimono beneath also shows at the edges of the kimono's neckband Haori are kimono jackets, made to be worn on top of kimonos but are also excellent worn with western-world clothes, dressed down with jeans or dressed up with a skirt or dress. The picture below gives you an idea of the body length of the average haori. The sleeve length will be approximately wrist length, dependent on the length of your arms. Below you can see examples of Japanese haoris, some worn open and some with a belt added There is also a lot of information about Japanese wafuku and other things on my Wafuku blog. This link opens in a new window, leaving this window open I also have furoshiki tying instructions here You can see photos of the kimono that started wafuku.co.uk here Continued from How to Wear a Kimono .... How to Tie an Obi Sash and Belt Contrary to belief, the traditional obi belt is actually comprised of many belts. Below are instructions on how to tie each belt over the kimono.

After you have put on your kimono per the steps shown on the page How to Wear a Kimono . Pull up the kimono material so the length of the kimono is at the ankle. The length of the kimono is always adjusted which is why there are only a few lengths made by the manufacturer. As you hold the extra material above your waist, tie the koshi-himo belt below the excess material. Cross the belt in the back and tie it in the front. Straighten out the excess material to the side so that the front and the back of the kimono are smooth. Bring down the excess material to cover the belt. Take the date-jime belt and wrap it around your waist covering the koshi-himo belt. Tie the date-jime belt in the front leaving the overlapping kimono fabric visible below. The excess kimono fabric should hang evenly below the belt so that the fabric is seen as shown in the picture above. The traditional long obi can be very difficult to tie depending on the style of bow made. Many times, another person will tie the belt for you. There are many styles of different ties that can be made with the belt.

Below is information on pre-tied obi belts and how to tie your own butterfly bow. The obi-jime is the last belt tied around the obi belt as shown in the picture above. Formal Obi Belts A woman's formal obi is usually 4 meters long and 60 centimeters in width. The width is folded in half and the obi is wrapped twice around the waist and then tied in the back. Formal obi belts are made of a brocade or tapestry weave. The more pattern, the more formal is the basic rule. Today, an obi completely covered in its entirety with woven or embroidered design are now normally worn by a bride. Casual Obi Sash Obi for casual wear may be as narrow as 10 centimeters or as wide as 30 centimeters. They are are usually made of satin, twill, chirimen, gauze weaves, cotton, nylon or wool. The main difference between the formal obi and the casual obi is the material. Casual obi are not made of silk and do not have the elaborate silk brocade embroidered patterns. Although called casual, many are not casual looking at all.

It is worn both with the kimono and the summer kimono "yukata". 1) Koshi-Himo Sash The koshi-himo belt is the first belt tied around the waist. The belt is available in a variety of styles, materials and some newer styles even have velcro. The koshi-himo belt shown here is made of tye-dyed silk. 2) Date-Jime Belt The date-jime belt is the second belt tied around the kimono covering the first koshi-himo belt. 2) Obi - Jime The obi-jimi is a braided cord tied on top of the obi. Because the obi-jime is visible, it comes in a variety of colors and the color is chosen to compliment the obi. Butterfly Obi Belts This obi is a pre-tied belt that gives the impression of the complicated tied obi but is very simple to put on. The tied bow shape is called cho cho for the bow resembles the butterfly, thus giving it the name butterfly obi. The belt consists of two pieces; the wide belt and the bow.

The belt is 5 feet in length and 6 inches in width The belt is wrapped twice around the waist and tucked under. The bow has a wire hanger to insert into the wrapped around belt. You can find butterfly obi belts at JapaneseGifts.com . Tie your Own Butterfly Obi Below are instructions on how to tie a single tie butterfly obi by yourself with a long traditional belt. The finished bow will look as the yellow portion of the picture shown above (basically a single tied bow). To tie the bow yourself, the bow will be tied in the front and the obi belt will be twisted after it is done so the bow is in the back. Place the long obi fabric around the waist with the ends toward the front. Position the obi fabric so that about 50 cm of the belt is in your left hand and wrap it once more around the waist. Overlap the ends of the obi toward the front so that it crosses over and tie the belt once with the right end over the left. You will now have one shorter end towards the top and one long end hanging down. Twist the tie so that the short end goes over your right shoulder.

Fold the long bottom end in half or twice to get the size bow you want. This end is the actual right and left side of the bow. To make the center tie that holds the bow together, take the end that is over your shoulder and wrap it around the center of your folded piece several times. Any excess portion of the belt should be hidden underneath. Turn the belt around toward your back. Mens Obi Belts There are two main types of men's obi belts used with men's kimono and summer kimono (yukata). They are either called kaku or heko. The stiff belt as shown above and are called kaku obi. The kaku obi is about 3.5 inches in width and made of cotton. The soft obi sash is called a heko obi and is normally free flowing and made of tye-dyed fabrics. Types of Japanese Kimonos - Picture Reference - Wafuku Kimono Information 12 There is also a lot of information on my Wafuku blog.

This link opens in a new window, leaving this window open I also have furoshiki tying instructions here You can see photos of the kimono that started wafuku.co.uk here Examples of different types of kimonos Tomesode Pattern only at the bottom, plus mon (crests) on the sleeves and shoulders, worn by married women at formal occasions. The more mon (one, three or five), the more formal the occasion it may be worn at. Black ones are called kuro tomesode and any colour other than black are called iro-tomesode (sometimes called irosode) but black is more often seen ------------------------ Kuro Muji As above but with no pattern other than the formal mon. A plain black one is a kuro tomesode, any plain colour other than black is called is an iro muji tomesode. The more mon (one, three or five), the more formal the occasion it may be worn at. This type of kimono is also worn as mofuku, which is mourning kimono, initially, during the earliest stages of mourning, with a black obi and all black accessories, gradually reducing amount of the black in the outfit as one progresses through the stages of mourning.

The one shown here is a medium weight silk crepe, with a smooth silk lining but in summer a lighter weight, cooler version is worn, made of black, airy ro weave textile, with no lining ------------------------ Iro Muji Both iro muji (any plain colour except black) and kuro muji (plain black) kimonos may have a patterned texture in the weave but are just one all-over colour. An iro muji is a less formal kimono than an iro tomesode, which is an iro muji with one, three or five mon (crests) mon. The iro muji is used for various purposes between formal and casual and, for that reason, is regarded as the basic kimono that one often wears as one's first adult kimono ------------------------ Tsukesage Pattern at the bottom and usually on one sleeve at the back, the other at the front, but the pattern does not continue over and join up at the seams. Tsukesage are less formal than houmongi ------------------------ Komon A komon kimono. Komon have an all over repeat pattern and are known as townwear, that is, an everyday wear kimono.

Komon kimonos and iro-muji kimonos are becoming more and more rare, as they are not made much anymore; the few kimono makers left now tend to make only very formal, ornate kimonos, which are still worn by some Japanese women on special occasions, and lightweight cotton yukata kimonos, which are often worn to Japanese summer festivals or as house and bath robes. Very few people in Japan wear kimono all the time nowadays, so almost no one buys kimonos such as komon or iro-muji anymore and kimono makers have virtually stopped making them. ------------------------ Houmongi A houmongi, sometimes spelled homongi, often has a pattern around the hem and sleeve and sometimes up over the body of the kimono. On houmongi, the pattern joins up at over the seams. Houmongi means visiting dress and they are less formal than tomesode but more formal than tsukesage or komon kimonos ------------------------ Odori Katamigawari Odori means dance, so this is a traditional Japanese dancer's kimono.

Katamigawari means half and half, referring to this kimono being half one design and half another, which is more likely to be seen on an odori kimono than any other. Many odori kimonos are tsukesage, houmongi or komon in style. They are often in synthetic textiles, so they can, unlike silk, be washed regularly and they are most frequently unlined or just lower lined, to keep the dancer cooler ------------------------ Furisode Furisode kimonos are worn by unmarried women. Furisode means swinging sleeve. It is pronounced foo-ri-sody, with no stress on any of the syllables. In this description I use the term 'long', meaning from shoulder to base of sleeve and not from shoulder to wrist. Women's furisode come in three types, each with progressively longer sleeves; the longer the sleeve, the more formal it is. Type 1 - Ko-Furisode: the shortest sleeved furisode, with sleeves that are around 85cm in length.

"Ko" means small/short but the sleeves of ko-furisode are still very long, much moreso than standard, non-furisode (kosode) kimonos, they are just less long than the other two furisode types. One might wear a ko furisode, for example, with hakama for a graduation ceremony. Type 2 - Chu-Furisode: a furisode with sleeves that are around 100cm in length. "chu" means "medium". Type 3 - Oh-Furisode: "oh" means big, therefore oh-furisode means big, swinging sleeves, with the longest sleeves of all the furisode type kimonos. Oh-furisode have sleeves of 114 - 115cm. It is the unmarried woman's most formal kimono, for wear at formal, special occasions and very colourful versions of oh-furisode are worn by brides and known as kakeshita or hon-furisode.

Those are women's furisode kimonos but there is also the Jyusan-Mairi, a girl's first furisode, which she gets at the age of thirteen ------------------------ Kakeshita A bride's, wedding kimono, with a tiny touch of padding at the hem, as it trails slightly and the padding helps it lie properly, and furisode style sleeves. This is the last time she will wear a furisode kimono; once married, she stops wearing kimonos with furisode style, deep sleeves ------------------------ Shirokakeshita Shiro means white and the shirokakeshita is an all white wedding kimono, worn by brides during Shinto wedding ceremonies. She will wear an all white shiromuku uchikake on top of it and one of two styles of headdress, either a tsunokakushi (to cover the bride's 'horns of jealousy') or a wataboushi, which is a large, hood-like hat that is the equivalent of a veil, as her face is hidden by it from side on.

A wedding kimono that is a completely white is meant to show pureness of the body and mind, as well as a willingness for the bride to be "colored" with the standards of her new family. This is considered the most formal wedding costume. The bride may change into a brightly coloured uchikake kimono over her white kimono and, later, into a very colourful hikifurisode kimono (also called a hanayome furisode) in place of the white one. A Japanese bride may change her clothes about 5 times during her wedding, ending in a black tomesode kimono. Nowadays many get married in just the hikifurisode/kakeshita ------------------------ Uchikake An incredibly heavy, sumptuous kimono, worn rather like a coat, by a bride. It is worn trailing on the ground and, when she walks, the hem is held up by the bridesmaids. It is worn over a kimono and the uchikake is not worn with an obi on it.

If it is a Shinto wedding ceremony, the uchikake will be all white and called a shiromoku (meaning white and pure) and worn over an all white shirokakeshita kimono ------------------------ Hikizuri This is a hikizuri kimono. It is worn for traditional dance, often by geisha and maiko, and the padded hem allows it to lie and move nicely, since it is worn trailing and delicately kicked round as the wearer turns. The one shown here would be worn by a maiko, as it is a furisode style (extremely deep, swinging sleeve); geisha wear kosode (standard depth) sleeved ones. Maiko wear these with a big tuck in each shoulder and each the sleeve, hand stitched place. These tucks are put in them because children's kimonos are worn that way and maiko are intended to give an impression of youth and of porcelain dolls.

After the maiko becomes a fully fledged geisha (also called geiko), she is intended to look sophisticated and adult, so no longer wears the ultra deep sleeves and the tucks in her kimonos ------------------------ Yukata A cotton, unlined kimono, worn at festivals in summer and as a robe at home. Nowadays a young Japanese person may not wear kimonos very often and may only hire them for special occasions, as they are so expensive to buy, but might well have one or more yukata kimonos, for summer wear, as they are much less expensive, being just cotton and unlined, are usually hand washable and require a narrower, more simply tied obi than other types of kimonos, so yukata kimonos are much more casual, easier to wear and easier to maintain ------------------------ Nibushiki A Nibushiki (2 part) kimono comprises wrap skirt and wrap top. A Japanese, convenient, modern take on the traditional kimono ------------------------ Juban A juban kimono, full name is naga-juban. A juban is an underwear kimono, worn under the outer kimono.

Only the very edge of the collar is seen, at the edge of the outer kimono's collar, and the bottom of the juban, when the outer kimono is held up when walking. It is much shorter than an outer kimono, as it is not worn with the big fold over at the waist that outer ones are worn with ------------------------ Han-Juban & Susoyke A han-juban is a short kimono top worn as underwear, usually along with a susoyoke, a wrap skirt, both worn under the juban kimono ------------------------ Montsuki Sometimes spelled montuki. A formal, man's kimono, unpatterned and usually black but not always. It has one three or five mon (crests) and the more mon, the more formal it is and therefore the more formal occasion it may be worn to. Garments with mon are divided into these three types: itsutsu mon (5 mon), mitsu mon (3 mon) and hitotsu mon (1 mon).

If it has just one mon, it will be at the centre back of the shoulders, if three mon, they will be centre back and on the back of the sleeves and if it has five mon, there will be one on the front and back of each sleeve and one at centre back. Note: mon is crest, kamon is family crest. Men's kimono differ from women's in a few ways, the most noticeable being that the sleeves on men's are attached to the kimono body all or almost all the way down, whereas women's kimono sleeves swing free from the body for most of their depth to allow women's much deeper obis to sit high up and adjacent to the sleeve. Men's obis are not only narrower but are worn lower down, especially at the front, where they are pulled down slightly low on the tummy, so, because men's obis are fairly narrow and worn low, the sleeves do not get in the way and can therefore be more attached to the body than the sleeves on womens kimonos. ------------------------ Haori A haori is a kimono jacket, quite long, with the deep kimono sleeves, traditionally worn over the kimono and obi.

A hoari is not worn with an obi or any sash around it. It can be closed edge to edge with a himo, which is a pair of front ties that are fastened to the inner edge. Women's haori, however, also look excellent when worn with western-world clothes, such as dresses or jeans, either worn open or with a belt added. Men's haori are usually plain on the outside, either with or without mon, but often have very decorative linings hidden inside. ------------------------ Michiyuki A square necked kimono jacket, worn over a kimono (also nice over western-world clothes). It is not worn with a sash. Usually with press studs to hold it closed ------------------------ Ama Michiyuki A square necked, kimono coat, worn over a kimono (also nice over western-world clothes), to help keep the kimono dry during rain. Their textile, often silk, is woven tightly to help repel water. Michiyuki are not worn with a sash ------------------------ Uppawari Uppawari known as house jackets.

They are worn indoors, over a kimono, and fasten with an inner tie at one side and an outer tie at the other ------------------------ Dochougi A dochougi is a warm, wrap-over style jacket for wear over a kimono. They fasten with an inner tie at one side and an outer tie at the other, often the ties are braid frogging style ------------------------ Neneko A neneko (sometimes spelled nenneko) is a warm, padded jacket with kimono sleeves, for cold weather wear. Any Japanese garment tells a tale, but the neneko has quite a special one. It is a long (to the knee), thickly padded, cross-over jacket, usually with a black satin collar, and it is very large, even by Western measurements. The size is deliberate, to accommodate a mother carrying a child beneath the jacket, on her back. Though lighter, more thinly padded versions are also found, the origin of the neneko is as a blanket: nene is babytalk for nemu/nemuri, the Japanese word for sleep, and the neneko kept the child warmly nestled when mother needed to go into town ------------------------ Happi Happi are distinctly different from haori.

Happi are never made of silk (usually cotton) and are not meant as kimono outerwear. Traditionally, happi are worn as work jackets or at festivals or company events to identify the wearer with a company or with a group of participants. A typical happi might have a large single character appears at the center back, a border along the hem of geometric patterning and, down each side of the front collar, a set of kanji (Japanese text) characters that name the sponsor, township, company or event that the happi coat was created for. These days, happi can be any color, but vintage versions are usually dark blue with white or red and white designs ------------------------ Hanten A hanten is a jacket, usually cotton but a little heavier than a happi, worn as work livery and at festivals ------------------------ Mon Kimonos and haori can be made formal wear by having mon (crests) on them. They can have any mon but if one is chosen that represents the family, it is called a kamon, if it is the woman's maiden mon, it is called an onnamon.

Garments have one (hitotsu mon), three (mitsu mon) or five (itsutsu mon) crests, the more mon, the more formal the occasion it may be worn at. There are different styles of mon too. In the picture above, showing three variations of icho (ginko) mon, you can see three versions of a the mon: hinata ï¿½ full sun (left), kage ï¿½ shadow (middle), and nakakage ï¿½ mid shadow (right), which refers to how solid or faint they are. The more subtle versions are for slightly less formal occasions. There are also embroidered mon, called nui mon. ------------------------ Diagram of full outfit and its parts Kimono facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Kimono Fashion, Costume, and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages COPYRIGHT 2004 The Gale Group, Inc. Kimono The kimono is the most basic term for traditional Japanese dress.

The term literally translates as "thing to wear." The word kimono came into use in the late nineteenth century as a way to distinguish native clothing from Western clothing, and thereafter became more common in Japan . Kimono refers to the principal outer garment of Japanese dress, a long robe with wide sleeves, made of various materials and in many patterns. It is generally unlined in summer, lined in autumn and spring, and padded in winter. The history of the kimono The kimono's form was first introduced from China as an undergarment. Its use as a normal form of dress for men and women dates from the Muromachi period (1392–1568). At that time the samurai, or warrior class, replaced the court nobles who always wore ceremonial clothing and lived in castle towns. Clothing increasingly needed to be wearable for travel and urban outdoor life and the kimono was the foundation of these trends. Women's kimonos became very decorative from the middle of the Edo period (1600–1868), in spite of bans on luxurious living imposed by the Tokugawa shogunate, the rulers of Japan at the time.

Japanese clothing was not traditionally accented with costly or decorative accessories, particularly jewelry, hats, or gloves, as Western dress traditionally is. Instead, all of the expression of taste and elegance was focused upon the kimono, the central and key garment in Japanese dress, particularly in the case of women. Thus developments in the kimono as the principal garment for men and women of all social classes revolved around patterns and colors. At first the only patterning used was in the weaving of the fabric, but, given that the expansive robe was a great canvas for the artist, distinctive designs stretching across the whole garment were created in tie-dye, resist-dye, embroidery, and other methods, particularly for wealthy customers. The wealthy could also layer more kimonos and coordinated the colors that peeked out at the neckline and cuffs. Some kimonos were painted upon with ink, like a brush painting on paper. The kimono is a comfortable garment for people to wear who sit on the floor or on a tatami mat, a straw floor covering common in Japanese homes, as is done in Japanese culture.

Its length can be adjusted by how much it is folded over when the obi, or sash, is tied; its width can vary depending on how much it is wrapped and how tightly the obi is tied; and it can be layered for changes in climate. There have been few fundamental changes in the shape of the kimono since the eighteenth century, except for minor changes in hem length and sleeve or collar shape. The kimono can be either formal or relatively casual, depending on its materials, pattern, and the accessories worn with it. Since its beginning, the kimono has denoted social rank and occupation, especially for men, and age, particularly for women. Today, people are less knowledgeable about the specific rules of dress and tend to choose a kimono based on its appearance. Kimonos in contemporary Japan Though Western dress is now the norm in contemporary Japan, the kimono is still worn on special occasions. There are schools in modern Japanese cities that train native Japanese on the finer points of wearing the kimono. They instruct in the complicated ways to tie the obi, as well as the subtle ways of draping the kimono, walking in it, and selecting and combining the colors and patterns.

The kimono still expresses the wearer's good taste as well as sense of propriety or social understanding. Although the modern kimono is generally a T-shaped robe, there are a variety of subtle variations for different wearers and different occasions. The furisode, which literally means "swinging sleeves," is worn by young unmarried women. The sleeves of the furisode average about eighteen inches long or more, although a variation called chu-furisode can have more practical sleeves of about fifteen inches. This type of kimono can also sometimes have three-foot-long sleeves that sweep the ground, but that is usually for theatrical or ceremonial effect, such as those worn by maiko, the novice geishas, a special group of female entertainers. The armholes of the furisode are long slits, allowing for ease of movement and ventilation. Wearing the furisode is an announcement that the women is eligible for marriage. The houmongi is the formal kimono worn by women once they are married. It might be worn to weddings or to tea ceremonies. It often has a pattern called eba, which spreads over the kimono without appearing to be disturbed by the seams through a special method of dyeing.

The tomesode, sometimes called the edozuma, is another formal kimono, worn by married women only to the weddings of close relatives. This kimono has a pattern on the lower front of the garment from around the knees to the hem. The bride in a traditional Japanese wedding wears the most formal kimono, called a uchikake. It is a long kimono coat with a padded hem, which is made either from stiff, thickly woven brocade or satin. The kimono trails the ground on all sides, and because of the length and stiffness of the kimono the bride must be assisted in walking. Kimonos for men are usually made in subdued colors and patterns of black, gray, brown, and shades of dark blue. If they are decorated, the usual patterns are fine checks, polka dots, or bird's-eye designs. The formal kimonos for men are called monsuke, which means "with crests." They are made of plain black silk with five crests and are worn with a white under-kimono called a juban and with hakama, or trousers, in gray or brown.

The Mofuku kimono is the most somber of modern ceremonial kimonos, and it is worn only for funerals and mostly by men. The Mofuku is usually made of black silk, with family crests at key places. It is worn with a long white undergarment called a naga-juban, black accessories, and black fabric zori, or sandals. Kimonos are worn tightly wrapped around the body from left to right. (Only the kimonos of the dead are wrapped right over left). The actual garment is five inches longer than its wearing length, and it is drawn up and tied with a slim silk cord under the obi so that the hem is at the wearer's heels. The obi adds padding to the middle so that the body is tubular looking, the preferred silhouette in Japan. Worn with the kimono is an undergarment called a shitagi, which is simply a thin under-kimono. The juban is another undergarment, worn short by men and long for women. Its neckband, or eri, is black silk for men and made of crepe or plain silk for women. Kimonos are not usually purchased ready-made.

They are sold in a length of cloth called a tan, which is usually about sixteen feet long and one foot eight inches wide. Each kimono is cut from this single piece of fabric, with no fabric wasted. They are very simple to make, and all are made in much the same dimensions. In order to be cleaned, the kimonos are usually ripped apart and cleaned as flat fabric. Today there are kimono artists who are considered by the Japanese government to be national treasures and who preserve historic techniques for the decoration of the kimono. Their masterpieces are unique and can be more expensive than a magnificent painting. Some have been sold for upwards of one hundred thousand dollars. Most modern-day Japanese people have never owned or worn a kimono. Some may rent one for the several occasions in their life that call for them. Nevertheless, the kimono is the instantly recognizable symbol of Japanese fashion. FOR MORE INFORMATION Dalby, Liza Crihfield. Kimono: Fashioning Culture. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1993. Reprint, Seattle , WA: University of Washington Press, 2001. Ho, Kenson, et al. Kimonos Unlimited: An Endless Creative Journey.

Vancouver, Canada : INASO, 2000. Kennedy, Alan. Japanese Costume: History and Tradition. New York : Rizzoli, 1990. Kosode: 16th–19th Century Textiles from the Nomura Collection. New York: Kodansha International, 1985. [See also Volume 2, Early Asian Cultures: Obi ] Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. MLA Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes © Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes 2007, originally published by Oxford University Press 2007.

kimono •Mano, piano •Arno, boliviano, Bolzano, Carnot, chicano, guano, Kano, llano, Locarno, Lugano, Marciano, Marrano, meccano, oregano, Pisano, poblano, Romano, siciliano, soprano, Sukarno •Renault, steno, tenno •techno • Fresno • Pernod •ripieno, volcano •albino, bambino, beano, Borodino, Borsalino, cappuccino, casino, chino, Comino, concertino, Filipino, fino, Gino, keno, Ladino, Latino, Leno, maraschino, merino, Monte Cassino , Navarino, neutrino, Pacino, palomino, pecorino, Reno, San Marino, Sansovino, Torino, Trevino, Valentino, vino, Zeno •minnow, winnow •Llandudno • Gobineau • domino •Martineau •lino, rhino, wino •tonneau • Grodno •Livorno, porno •Mezzogiorno •cui

 bono?, kimono, Mono, no-no, phono •Bruno, Gounod, Juneau, Juno, Uno •Huguenot • pompano •Brno, inferno, journo, Salerno, Sterno Cite this article Japanese Kimono, Traditional Japanese Clothing Kimonorobe Store Japanese Kimono The Japanese Kimono is famed as the traditional Japanese clothing, but beyond such name and elegant design is the rich history of Japan that is stitched within their mesmerizing fabric, which features colors and prints that reflect the Japanese people's eye for all things of beauty.

Have a Japanese tea ceremony, an Asian party, Asian wedding, and a casual or special occasion that requires you or your child to wear the Japanese traditional clothing? Then look no further and dress for your event with confidence as we got here for you a highly curated selection of authentic Japanese kimonos for your need, plus all the basic accessories that you need to wear them with. Show Sort by : Shop Japanese Kimono and Kimono Robes Japanese kimonos are one of the world's most beautiful traditional clothing and if you are need of one for costume, for Asian parties, for tea ceremonies, Asian events, business promotion, gifts, and more, then look no more beyond the borders and beyond our online store as this section of KimonoRobeStore.com holds your curated selection of genuine Japanese kimonos and kimono robes from Japan and China.

Hand-picked for their exquisite workmanship, the suitability of their fabric and designs for both casual and formal environments, and their growing popularity in Asia as the Japanese kimono and kimono robe of choice for casual and formal events, gifts, and souvenirs, these Japanese kimonos and kimono robes are a fail-safe option for your need of the Japanese kimono as a traditional Japanese clothing, Asian clothing, gift, or souvenir. Need to shop Japanese kimono sets for that upcoming short-notice special occasion or casual event? Then our Japanese kimono sets, which consist of a Japanese kimono with pre-tied obi and obijime, are your best bet. So look no farther and shop Japanese kimonos, Japanese kimono sets, and kimono robes here on KimonoRobeStore.com and let their modern colors, traditional Japanese patterns, easy-to-wear fabrics, and competitive prices sweep you into the colorful and modern world of the traditional Japanese clothing. What is a Kimono?

Kimono is a Japanese term that originally translates to clothing or something to wear, but until the recent years, it has been more specifically referred to the traditional Japanese clothing for women, which is an ankle-length, straight-cut, and wrap-around dress that features long and wide sleeves and secured at the waist with a wide sash, called obi. The emphasis on a Japanese kimono's design basically lies in the patterns and colors of their fabric, thus, it has not become prone to trend and style changes, unlike the Western clothing. Also, while men prefer kimono robes with simple patterns and made of dark-colored fabrics, women usually prefer Japanese kimonos with cheerful patterns and colorful designs. The kimono comes in a multitude of styles – from those that are right as everyday kimono, for casual celebrations, and special occasions, and which reflect the status of their wearer. How to Wear a Japanese Kimono? Japanese kimonos are typically worn over a set of kimono undergarments , like the juban, han-juban, and susoyoke.

Kimono undergarments, initially, were made to protect the ancient Japanese wearers from the cold weather in Japan, but today, they have become more of a protective underclothing for the kimono. Wearing the Japanese tabi socks is the first step to dressing up in a Japanese kimono, followed by the kimono underclothing, the kimono robe itself, and then the tying of the obi . Occasions for Wearing the Japanese Kimono Japanese kimonos are now considered as traditional Japanese clothing and usually reserved for special occasions, like attending tea ceremony; weddings; the Coming-of-Age Day, which is an annual national holiday that aims to encourage 20-year old Japanese to become self-reliant members of the society; graduation ceremonies, and, Shichi-Go-San Festival, which is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for girls aged 3 and 7, and boys aged 3 and 5, to celebrate the growth of being young children. The Japanese kimono also adds color to the Japanese New Year, Hanami Festival (cherry blossom-viewing), summer festivals in Japan, special ceremonies, and other special occasions celebrated by the Japanese.

Basic Types of Japanese Kimono Know which type of Japanese kimono to wear for everyday use, casual celebrations, and formal occasions by having the following basic types of Japanese kimono for your kimono buying guide: Japanese kimono, particularly, for formal occasions are of different styles for the married and unmarried women, distinguished for their long arms, and include the following: Furisode Kimono. A very colorful kimono for a single Japanese girl or woman. It features extra long, swinging sleeves, which signify that she is unmarried and is a legal adult, and worn at the Coming-of-Age Day, graduation ceremony, wedding party of relatives, and formal party. Tomesode Dress. A formal Japanese kimono for married women and is of two (2) types: Kuro-tomesode: A black tomesode or Japanese kimono for married women that features an image of five (5) family crests, a colorful design on the bottom of the dress or below the waistline, and usually worn with a gold obi or an obi sash that matches the design on the bottom of the dress. It is worn by the mother or close family member of the bride or groom to a Japanese wedding ceremony.

Irotomesode: A colored tomesode or Japanese kimono for married women. In terms of design, it is similar to the kuro-tomesode in that it features designs below the waistline only and can be worn at weddings by married women who are not closely related to the bride or groom and other festive occasions. Homongi. Formal kimono dress for married women. It takes over the role of the Furisode and worn at a wedding party, tea ceremony, graduation ceremony, and other formal occasions. Kakeshita. An elaborate type of Furisode, which is worn under an Uchikake or on its own. Typically, a white Kakeshita is worn on top of a white Uchikake, and a colorful kakeshita is worn under a colorful uchikake. Bridal Kimono. The Japanese bride wears several kimonos on her wedding day, including the: Shiromoku. A white, heavily-embroidered kimono worn by the Japanese bride on the wedding ceremony itself or on a wedding in a shrine, often matched with an elaborate headpiece, called a tsunokakushi. Uchikake.

This highly formal kimono is the ornate and unbelted, often colorful, and the most exuberant bridal kimono worn by the bride at the wedding reception. It is usually brocaded, heavily embroidered, or painted, have a thickly-padded hem and a trail, and worn over another kimono, called the Kakeshita. Casual kimono for women, on the other hand, include the: Tukesage. Semi-formal kimono for women and distinguished for its design that is facing upwards. It is worn on a party, tea ceremony, and important events. Komon. The "normal" kimono dress for women and characterized for the very small patterns that lie everywhere in the kimono. It is worn at a house party and when going out around town. Iromuji. Solid-colored kimonos usually pastel-hued. It can be worn on any occasion, but when it features the family crest, it becomes a formal kimono. Susohiki. Mostly worn by geishas or by traditional Japanese dance performers. This kimono for women is long enough to trail on the floor and is padded at the hem. Kimono for Men.

They are, typically, dark-colored or feature simple patterns. The most formal style of kimono is plain black silk with five kamon on the chest, shoulders and back, while slightly less formal is the three-kamon kimono. Other types of Japanese Clothing for Men and Women Kimono for Summer. They are typically unlined to keep their user cool during the warm summer months and include the: Yukata . A light cotton kimono robe that is used by men and women during the summer months and after bathing at hot spring resorts or traditional inns. Originally worn to the bath house by the upper class and made of plain white cotton, the yukata became popular among the common people and were often stencil-dyed. Jinbei. A casual, summer kimono consisting of a pair of shorts wrap-type top and matching shorts. Hakama. A general term for the wide-legged trousers or pleated, skirt-like garment that is tied at the waist and worn with kimono, except with the yukata.

Both men and women wear the hakama on certain Japanese martial arts, like archery, and because it increases the formality of the kimono, men wear it frequently on formal occasions, like tea ceremonies and weddings, and women wear it almost exclusively on graduation ceremonies. Japanese Kimono Jackets . Consisting of the haori, happi coats, kimono rain coat, and more, Japanese kimono jackets are worn by both and women over a kimono for added warmth, protection, and for enhancing the formal look of your kimono. Mofuku. A black kimono for men and women that is worn exclusively to a funeral of a close family or friend. It features five (5) family crests and has to be worn with black accessories, except for the undergarment and tabi socks. Learn more about the History of the Kimono and tips on How to Wear the Kimono and Yukata Robe here on KimonoRobeStore.com. References: Urban Dictionary: Obi Obi A wide sash fastened in the back with a large flat bow, worn by women in Japan as a part of the traditional dress. An obi is a type of belt, typically tied together rather than fastened with a buckle.

Adapted from traditional Japanese fashion, obis are a popular method of adding Asian flair to modern outfits. An obi can be purchased or easily made with basic sewing skills. The obi, meaning “sash” in Japanese, was traditionally worn by both men and women, beginning around the 16th century. Men's sashes are typically narrow strips of fabric, while women's can be more than 12 inches (30 cm) wide. Obis can be very long, but may be doubled or tied in elaborate, decorative bows. There are dozens of styles of obi, each associated with traditional tying and tucking methods. Traditionally, an obi is made out of silk, cotton, or brocade, and may be plain or feature a decorative pattern on one or both sides. The color of the fabric can be significant to the wearer; modern Japanese brides, for instance, often wear a pure white obi with their wedding dress. An older custom also calls for white obis to be worn as mourning clothes by widows, but in modern times a black sash may be worn instead.

Traditional obis are often made to match or complement a specific kimono, thus people may own several different varieties and colors to match a large wardrobe. Blog - Kimono; Japanese traditional garment Kimono; Japanese traditional garment Sign up for our newsletter: Subscribe Monday, April 21, 2014 5:04:56 PM Asia/Tokyo 着物 Kimono (Japanese traditional garment) Some time ago, a word “Kimono” meaned simply a “thing to wear (ki “wear” and mono “thing”). In Meiji period (1868 - 1912), European clothes came to Japan. Japanese people use the words, 洋服 (Yo Fuku, European clothes) and 和服 (Wa Fuku, Japanese traditional clothes) to distinguish them. At the present day, people in the world know a word “Kimono” meaning to Wa Fuku. Kimono are T-shaped, straight-lined robes worn so that the hem falls to the ankle, with attached collars and long, wide sleeves.

Kimono are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial) and secured by a sash called Obi, which is tied at the back. Kimono are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially Zori or Geta) and split-toe socks (Tabi). Today, Kimono are worn on special occasions, Wedding ceremony, Coming-of-age ceremony, etc... But there are many people who loves Kimono and wears it on a daily basis. Professional Sumo wrestlers are often seen in the Kimono because they are required to wear traditional Japanese dress whenever appearing in public. 帯 Obi (Sash) Obi is a sash for traditional Japanese dress. Obi for men’s Kimono is rather narrow, 10 cm wide at most, but a woman’s formal Obi can be 30 cm wide and more than 4 m long. Woman’s wide and decorative Obi does not keep Kimono closed; this is done by different undersashes and ribbons worn underneath Obi. Obi itself often requires the use of stiffeners and ribbons for definition of shape and decoration. Obis are categorized by their design, formality, material, and use.

In these days, Obis reuse for the decoration. 留袖 Tomesode Tomesode is a type of Kimono. It is an expensive formal dress worn by married women, corresponding to Evening dress in Europe. Tomesode distinguishes itself from other Kimono by only having patterns under the waistline. It has five or sometimes three family crests (Ka Mon) which indicate the formality of Kimono. Kuro-Tomesode (Black Tomesode) are often worn for wedding ceremonies by married female relatives of the bride or groom. It is believed that the black color is to match the clean white color of the bride, as this Kimono is rarely used at other occasions than weddings of near family members (mother, sisters or daughters). A friend of the bride or groom would not wear Kuro-Tomesode, but Homongi or Iro-Tomesode. At events at the imperial palace, it is strictly forbidden to wear Kuro-Tomesode, and here Iro-Tomesode is worn. Because, it says that black is a mourning color in the imperial palace.

Iro-Tomesode (Tomesode with colors) is the second most formal Kimono and is similar to Kuro-Tomesode, except that it has light colors instead of being black. It can be worn at weddings by married women not closely relate to the bride or groom or at the other festive occasions. 振袖 Furisode Furisode is a style of Kimono distinguishable by its long sleeves, which range length from 85 cm for Ko Furisode (Small) to 114 cm for O Furisode (Big). Furisode is the most formal style of Kimono worn by unmarried women in Japan. Furisode is made of very fine, brightly colored silk, and is commonly rented or bought by parents for their daughters to wear when celebrating Comin-of-age day the year they turn 20. By wearing Furisode, a young woman signifies that she is both single and a legal adult, and thus available for marriage. Furisode is generally worn for the formal social functions such as the tea ceremony or wedding ceremonies. 訪問着 Homongi Homongi replaces the role of Furisode when a woman marries.

It is given to the woman, when she marries, to signify her womanhood has transcended into a married life. It is less colorful and attention-drawing than Kimono of unmarried women, but it can be worn by unmarried women too. Directly translated Homongi means “visiting wear” and it was very popular among the upper-class women in Meiji period to wear as a formal dress for going out. Homongi is the most ostentatious Kimono for married women and the second most for unmarried women. Usually, Homongi are worn to tea ceremonies and wedding ceremonies. Homongi is characterized by flamboyant and colorful pattern running continuously over the seams. The sleeve length varies and unmarried women wear longer sleeves. 白無垢 Shiromuku A color white was used for parament as a holy color. From the end of Muromachi period to Edo period, Shiromuku is for wedding, parturition, funeral rites or Seppuku. In Meiji period, the European custom came into Japan, a color black has been used for funeral rites and a color white has been used for wedding.

浴衣 Yukata Yukata is a Japanese garment, a casual summer Kimono usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric, and unlined. Yukata are worn by both men and women. Like other forms of Kimono, Yukata are made with straight seams and wide sleeves. Men’s Yukata are distinguished by the shorter sleeve extension of approximately 10 cm from the armpit seam, compared to the longer 20 cm sleeve extension in women’s Yukata. Thus, although their use is not limited to after-bath wear.Yukata are worn at outdoor summer events such as Hanabi (Fireworks) or Bon-odori (Dancing) festivals. They are also worn at Japanese Inns (Ryokan) afther bathing. Many hotels in Japan prepare Yukata in a room as night cloth. 友禅 Yuzen Yuzen is one of the popular traditional dyeing techniques in Japan. MIYAZAKI Yuzen-sai (1654 ? - 1736), an artist of fan painting, had started to dye by a technique of Yuzen in Kyoto. Yuzen came from his name, Yuzen-sai.

Originally, Dyeing by hand-writhing was only called Yuzen, but nowadays, stencil dyeing or printing patterns with Yuzen styles are also called Yuzen. It is the most representative dyeing in Japan. In particular, Kyo Yuzen (in Kyoto) and Kaga Yuzen (Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa) are famous. Yuzen is very beautiful and elegant with the traditional or natural motifs. The clothes dyed by Yuzen turn to not only Kimono but also many articles like the decorations that adorn the walls. 西陣織 Nishijin Ori (Nishijin fabric) Nishijin is a district in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto. Nishijin Ori (Nishijin fabric) is a traditional textile produced there. Nishijin Ori was created over 1,200 years ago by using many different types of colored yarns and weaving them together in decorative designs. During Edo period, Nishijin Ori continued to thrive. Many Japanese studied the art and continued to pass down their trade through the generations by the skilled professionals.

But, there was an abrupt stop to the Nishijin trade due to produce unavailability because of unproductive crops until 1837. Kyoto had fallen on hard times and Japan had decided to change their capital in 1869 and announced that Tokyo was the chosen location. This was the end of Nishijin trade. In the years to come the Nishijin trade began to flourish once again. Starting in 1872 with the trip to Europe to learn from the European weaving trade. During this trip the Europeans taught Japanese new techniques. The Japanese adapted to the use of European methods and machinery. By 1898 the Nishijin Textile trade was developed and encompassed the technology shared by the Europeans. This marked a beginning of a new era of Nishijin Ori and implemented the use of machinery in the Japanese trade. Nishijin has continued to be a successful textile industry throughout the years. Today Nishijin Ori is seen more frequently in Japanese ceremonies. The main ceremony to view this unique trade would be in a wedding. The work of the Nishijin Ori is present in the traditional clothing of the bride.

Her traditional Kimono is beautiful and shows the Nishijin designs that have been handed down through the generations. These traditional designs range from scenes of nature, different breeds of birds and several different type of flowers. There are many other products available through Nishijin Ori. These products range from Kimono, belts, shawls, many different types of cloth and decorations that adorn the walls. Tags:

Question: What name is given to the sash traditionally worn with a kimono?
Answer: Obi